Kermadec Islands marine reserve

The Kermadec Islands, located about 1000 km
north-east of New Zealand, are some of the most interesting places on this
planet, mainly because of their isolation and because the world has very
few island groups in the subtropical south. It is a place where the large
seaweeds are absent and the corals just dare to grow. Dominated by volcanoes,
located on the edge of the deep Kermadec Trench, a marine community has
evolved, surviving the special conditions of this area. Raoul is its largest
island with an active volcano.

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IntroductionThe Kermadec Islands are New Zealand's northernmost
territories, extending its Exclusive Economic Zone by a substantial amount,
although the islands themselves are only very small outcrops. In 1990 the
sea around these islands was declared a no-take marine reserve, extending
12 nautical miles (22km) out in the ocean. With its 7480km2 area, it will
for a long time remain New Zealand's largest marine reserve.

The reason this particular marine reserve has attracted so much attention
on this web site, is that very little is known about it and even less published
and less still, publicly accessible. As far as can be ascertained, this
marine reserve is successful in protecting the marine environment, which
appears to have no other threats but exploitation. By the sheer awkwardness
of its location, the marine environment has been spared the ravages of
fishing by commercial and amateur fishermen alike (it is not economic).
Very few people will be lucky enough to visit these islands, yet many should
know about them. This section has been written for divers and students,
and anyone interested to learn more about this jewel in the crown of New
Zealand marine reserves. When left alone, and once the islands have been
rid of cats and rats, the chance is high that bird life will return, and
ultimately the state of the environment to what it once was, one of the
last pristine and undisturbed places on Earth.

The chapter on geography shows where the islands are located, also in
relation to large geographical features such as the Kermadec Ridge and
the Kermadec Trench. Geography and geology are indistinguishable when it
comes to explain the origins of these islands and their present state.

The chapter on ecology touches on the terrestrial ecology, but pays
most attention to the marine ecology. The seascapes with their corals have
no resemblance to the ones surrounding the mainlands of New Zealand, and
this begs explanation. We observed signs of stress, even though human influence
is negligible. Apparrently, living in a very small spot, surrounded by
a very large infertile ocean ('desert'), is difficult for sea creatures.
The possible reasons are investigated. Finally, the amount of sea and bird
life cannot readily be explained from the infertility of the surrounding
ocean, so other factors must be at work to disperse the nutrients of life.
The conclusion is that the natural environment of these islands is fragile
and that the only logical consequence is to protect it completely from
human intervention. This is indeed the Government's plan.

The chapter on the history of the islands is fascinating, and details
how difficult it is for people to inhabit a small spot surrounded by a
large, infertile ocean. In this respect, humans make no exception to the
rules of nature.By means of a timeline, hundreds of years of history compress
to an interesting summary.

The chapter on diving marks suitable dive spots, as a useful record
for visiting divers. It is hoped that they too, will share their experiences
by contributing to this chapter.

A description of this area would not be complete without a visit to
Raoul Island, presented in several selected images.

The photo galleries make up the bulk of this section, illustrating in
vivid colours what the underwater environment looks like. It takes the
reader on a tour of habitats, giant groupers, frilly lionfish, other fishes,
corals, crustaceans, and so on.

Venables, A M (1937): The Kermadec Group; the
unvarnished truth about Sunday Island, a land of dreams. By the 1936-37
expedition. Walsh Printing Company, Auckland. - An optimistic account of
the islands, but with much factual information.

National Library of New Zealand tapuhi.natlib.govt.nz
gives access to manuscripts, archives, drawings, prints, photographs and
other historical documents, including referenced to items relating to the
Kermadec Islands.